Spetses
The pretty island of Spetses was a popular hangout for Greek and British tourists during the 1970s and 1980s, before the financial crisis (one of the many) saw the tourist numbers dwindle. It has long been a popular stop for the super-rich, those immune from the ebbs and flows experienced by the ordinary folks; even today you’ll see million-dollar yachts moored close to traditional fishing boats in the harbour at Dapia, Spetses’ picturesque harbour.

But now Spetses is also gradually reasserting itself as a popular destination for everyday foreign visitors. The streets of the only town on the island are car-free, so the only way to get around is on foot or by horse-drawn carriage or mopeds. There are just two local buses and four taxis, while the water-taxi is for many people a faster (if more expensive) way to get to other parts of the island.

Spetses holds a special place in Greek history. It was the first of the islands to raise the revolutionary flag in the War of Independence in 1821 and is the place where Laskarina Bouboulina, who led a famous battle against the Turkish fleet, mustered her fleet. She also met her untimely end here, shot during a family feud. There’s a small museum on Spetses dedicated to her remarkable story, while several streets on the island (and beyond) are named in her honour.

The battle with the Turkish fleet is firmly imprinted in Greek history and each year over the second weekend of September a naval festival takes place on Spetses. The highlight of the weekend is a lavish re-enactment of the battle near the lighthouse, during which the Turkish flagship is set alight. Precise historical accuracy is overlooked for the sake of a lively weekend celebration which attracts thousands of visitors to Spetses.

For a small island there’s plenty to keep a visitor entertained for several days on Spetses. The paved road that runs around the island provides easy access to the island’s many beaches. Zogeriá in the north is considered one of the most beautiful, while Xylokériza is a secluded beach only accessible by boat. There are several good walking trails which run through the interior and which offer the chance to explore the pine forests and traditional chapels along the way.

And the town itself is well worth taking in. It’s a easy place to explore on foot and its grand white-washed houses and open squares are a photographer’s dream, especially with the plentiful trails of bougainvillea. It’s also worth visiting the Cathedral of Ayios Nikolaos. This is where the island’s Independence flag was first raised in 1821 and it’s also the place where body of Paul Bonaparte, nephew of Napoleon, was kept in a barrel of rum for three years.

Spetses is a good destination to combine with nearby Hydra; the journey time between them is no more than an hour and both enjoy the relative peace of a car-free town centre.